Keith 'paints' pits people's pictures

An exhibition of mining memories by a Cannock amateur photographer using an innovative technique has gone on display.

Keith Tranah's Pits and People features pictures of miners, mines and the machinery used in the historic industry.

It will be at Chasewater Innovation Centre until October 30 and follows his contribution to a joint exhibition there earlier this year which pulled in 1,200 visitors over just two days.

Photographs provide an insight into the work undertaken by thousands of people across Staffordshire in years gone by.

Mr Tranah, who was an engineer at Littleton Colliery for 28 years and four at others, had to gain special permission to take photographs inside the coal mines and was unable to use flash photography because of the risk of igniting gases in the pits.

Due to this he used a technique called painting by light with an old-fashioned basic Practica MTL 3 camera to capture a host of memories since 1990.

Mr Tranah, aged 58, who first took up his hobby with Stafford Photographic Society, said: "The technique involves a slow exposure and when I point my torch at the subject, the film begins to record it.

"If I were 'painting in' one man, it would take 20-40 seconds, if I wanted the background it would be longer.

"Doing a group of miners was very difficult, trying to keep everyone dead still for a prolonged period, so the image wouldn't blur was not easy. I had a lot of failures but persisted."

The father of four will be making a special appearance at the Pool Road centre in Brownhills from 2pm-4pm on Saturday, when he hosts a talk and showcases the technique he used to creative the display.

Hilary Foxley, development officer for Chasewater Innovation Centre, said the display offers an intriguing insight into the world of mining.

"Staffordshire has a rich mining heritage and this exhibition offers a really interesting look at some aspects of the age old industry that the majority of people will never get to see," she said.

"The technique that Keith uses is extremely impressive and we are delighted that he is going to demonstrate how he does it.

This is a great opportunity to see an excellent display which really does offer a fascinating look at miners and the work that they did which has helped to shape the county as we know it today."

The talk is free of charge but places are limited. For more information or to reserve a place call 01543 370737.